Combination plug and agitator crank



Feb. 27, 1951 H. CERNIAK 2,543,151

COMBINATION PLUG AND AGITATOR CRANK Filed July 28, 1948 Patented Feb. 27, V1951 COMBNATIN PLUG AND AGITATOR @RANK Henry L. Cerniak, Chicago, lll., assignor to National Steel Container Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of illinois Application July 28, 1948, Serial No. 41,1102

1 Claim. (Cl. 220439) This invention relates to a combination plug and agitator crank which may be used to close an opening in a container and to rotate an agitator within the container, and the invention has as an object the provision of a simple, convenient, and reliable device ci this character.

When a container holds paint or other substance which tends to settle, it is common practice to use an agitator within the container to mix the contents before using. An improvement in such an agitator is shown in my application Serial No. 777,050 for Letters Patent, filed September 1947, now matured into Patent No. 2,530,858.

A crank for rotating the agitator is generally furnished with the container, The crank must be removable in order that the hole in the container, through which the agitator shaft or the crank extends, can be closed. Present practice is to clamp the crank to one surface of the container head during shipment and at other times when the contents oi the container are not being used. The clamp most commonly used has a ring which is held against the rim of the bung hole of the container head by the plug, the other end of the clamp holding the crank; againstthe adjacent surface oi the container head.

This arrangement has the disadvantage that it tends to cause leakage. riCwo gaskets must be used, one between the clamp and the rim of the bung hole, and one between the clamp and the cap or ange of the plug. This means that there are four connections through which there can be leakage. Perhaps more important is the fact that f resulting in looseness of the connections. Also, the clamp is subject to becoming bent due to the iorces acting on it, thereby making it difficult to eiiect a tight seal.

Another object of my invention is to alleviate or eliminate this difficulty by providing an improved arrangement of plug and crank.

In accordance with my invention the crank and the plug are permanently connected together. This arrangement eliminates the need for the clamp and one of the two gaskets, thereby eliminating the cause of leakage discussed above. However, my invention retains the function of the clamp since crank is held in place even more securely than when held by a clamp.

Accordingly, another object of my invention is to provide a combination plug and crank a1'- rangement resulting in the securing of the crank, without the necessity of a clamp, when the plug is being used to close the container.

i es on the clamp tend to lift or twist it,

Another advantage resulting from my invention is the elimination of the inconvenience of handling, and possibly losing, the numerous parts previously required in connection with the plug and crank. According .to present practice ve parts are necessary, namely, the plug, the crank, the clamp, and two gaskets. In accordance with my invention, these parts are reduced in number to two: the combination plug and crank, and one gasket.

Still another advantage lies in the fact that the crank can be used as a handle to tighten the plug. Accordingly, another object of my invention is to provide a more convenient arrangement of crank and plug.

One problem which arises in the combining of the plug and the crank in one part is the necessity oi arranging the relative positions of the plug,the crank head, the crank arm, andthe crank handle in such a manner that the plug will not interfere with 4the use of the crank and that the various parts of the crank will not interfere with the use of the plug. More specifically, the part not in use must not come into contact with the container when the other part is in position forr use. kMy solution of this problem will be understood upon reading the detailed description below in connection with the drawing.

Accordingly, another object of my invention is to provide a combination plug and crank in which no part of the combination will interfere with the proper use of the plug or the crank.

My invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination plug and agitator crank embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of a container showing the combination plug and agitator crank of Fig. l in use as a plug;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a similar cross-sectional view but showing the combination plug and agitator crank in use as a crank.

Referring now more specifically to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows the combination plug and agitator crank comprising a plug 2 and a crank 3. The plug 2 includes a hollow cylindrical portion 4 having a threaded outer portion indicated by the 3 numeral 5, a flange 6, and a head 1. The flange has an annular surface 8 suitable for cooperation with a gasket, not shown in Fig. 1. The head 1 is square, as best indicated in Fig. 2, and is suitable for engagement by a Wrench Which may be used to turn the plug 2. The flange 6 and the head 7 of the plug 2 are preferably .castintegrally with the crank arm 9 of the crank '3. YA crank handle portion IIJ is provided at one end of the crank arm, and a socket type of crank head II is provided at the other end of the crank arm 9.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the plug portion o'f my 1invention in use to close the bung hole in the head I2 of a container I3, such as a steel .drum or barrel. It will be noted that the rthreacledlouter portion 5 of the plug cylinder 4 engages a flange i4 permanently joined to the head I2. A permanent gasket I5 is used to e'iect a tight seal between the flange I4 and the head I2. A gasket I6 is used to efect a tight seal between the annular surface 8 of the ange 6 and the outer surface of the fla-nge I4 It will be notedthat .with the plug 2 'inserted in the iiange I4 to close vthe opening in the container I3, the crank 3 lies in a plane 4parallel to and above the plane of the head I2. Accordingly, the crank 3 does not interfere with the use .of the plug 2 for closing the opening.

It Will also be noted that the crank .3 may be used as a handle to tighten 'the plug 2 in the opening. While it would be desirable to tighten the plug through the use of a wrench which may engage vthe square head 'I of the plug 2 when the container is to be shipped or is to be stored for a substantial period of time, .the plug 2 can be .Y .tightened suiliciently by hand through the luse .container I3.

When Vthe combination plug and agitator crank is in use .as a .crank for rotating the agitator .shaft il, .it will be noted that the plug 2 is located above the crank arm 9. This arrangement avoids interference Vby the plug 2 with the operation of the crank 3.

A `cup or bracket I8 'is Welded or otherwise properly secured to the inner surface of the head I2 in axial alignment with the bung opening therein and has an opening in its bottom wall through which the agitator shaft I 'I extends. This member I8 thus serves as a guide for the agitator shaft and as a bearing surface or stop for the crank .3. The crank head II is of suiycient length relative to fthe depth of the cup or bracket I8 that the crank arm 9 and the plug 2 are held in a position above the plane of the head I2.

While I haveshown and described a particular embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those Askilled inthe art that changes and rnodi- .cations may be made Without departing from 'my invention inits broader aspects, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claim to covel` all such Ychanges and 'modifications as fall within the true spirit'and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United-States is:

.A combination plug and agitator crank for closing a `threaded opening ina container and for rotating an agitator within the container comprising a crank having integrally formed head, arm and .handle portions with said head and handle .portions projecting from said arm portion in substantially the same 4plane but in opposite directions, and a plug formed integrally with said arm .portion and offset from said arm .portion in the same direction as said handle portion, said plug having a threaded'portion projecting outwardly, normal to and spaced from the nearest plane which includes an edge of the crank, whereby when said plug is inserted in said threaded opening the crank will be spaced from the container so as to be manually rotatable in .the plane of saidhead, arm and handle portions to turn said plug to tighten and loosen the same and to provide leverage for such turning of the plug.

HENRY L. CERNIAK.

REFERENCES CITED 'The following references are `of record in the le of this vpatent:

UNITED .STATES PATENTS 

